The Kwacha Heritage Series
- This article is about the new notes introduced in March 2025, for the currency see Zambian Kwacha
| The Kwacha Heritage Series | |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 31 March 2025 |
| Issuing authority | Bank of Zambia |
| Banknotes | K10, K20, K50*, K100*, K200, K500 |
| Coins | 5N, 10N, 50N, K1, K2, K5 |
| Theme | “Heritage” – Zambia’s flora, fauna, waterfalls, and economic pillars |
| Accessibility | Tactile marks and differing sizes to assist visually impaired users |
The Heritage Series is the currency family of the Zambian kwacha introduced by the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) on 31 March 2025. It comprises six banknotes (K500, K200, K100, K50, K20, K10) and six coins (K5, K2, K1, 50 ngwee, 10 ngwee, 5 ngwee). The series modernises Zambia’s currency design, strengthens anti-counterfeiting security features, introduces higher-value denominations (K500 and K200), and moves the K5 and K2 to coins for durability and transaction convenience.[1]
Legal foundation
The issuance of currency is a core function of the Bank of Zambia, provided for in Article 213(2)(a) of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2016, and Section 17(1) of the Bank of Zambia Act, 2022.[1]
Rationale
- Modernise designs and upgrade security features to combat counterfeiting.
- Introduce higher-value banknotes (K500, K200) for transactional convenience.
- Redefine the note-coin boundary by issuing durable K5 and K2 coins.
- Use more durable substrates for lower-value notes (K20, K10).[1]
Design and theme
The series highlights Zambia’s natural and economic heritage:
- Front (obverse): African Fish Eagle with a background representing key sectors such as mining, tourism, and agriculture; endemic flowers add a fresh visual identity.[1]
- Back (reverse): Waterfalls at centre with endemic animals and trees. Across denominations, imagery features family groupings from the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo).[1]
- The National Coat of Arms and the motto “One Zambia, One Nation” appear across all notes and coins.[1]
Security features (public)
The Bank recommends four actions — Look, Feel, Check, Tilt — to authenticate the notes.[1]
- Key features (across denominations)
- Watermark with African Fish Eagle’s head and value.
- See-through register, latent image, big raised numerals, serial numbers.
- Intaglio (raised) printing and tactile edge marks to aid identification for the visually impaired.[1]
- Threads and colour-shift (selected denominations)
- K10 and K20: moving security thread (tilt effect).[1]
- K200: colour-shifting thread (gold → green) with motion effects (tilt).[1]
- K500: colour-shifting thread (magenta → green) with motion effects (tilt).[1]
Denominations
Banknotes: K10, K20, K50*, K100*, K200, K500. Coins: 5N, 10N, 50N, K1, K2, K5.
- Note: K100 and K50 slated for release in September 2025 (production ongoing at launch).[1]
Implementation and transition
- From 31 March 2025, the new banknotes and the new K5, K2, K1 coins supplement existing coins (K1, 50N, 10N, 5N).[1]
- Existing banknotes continue to circulate alongside the new family until 31 March 2026; exchanges are free of charge.[1]
- The Bank urges careful handling to extend banknote lifespan.[1]
Public sensitisation
A nationwide campaign began in February 2025 and reached all 116 districts, including chiefdoms, to educate the public on features and the exchange process. BoZ also addressed misinformation about forced withdrawals from mobile money accounts by coordinating with operators to warn customers of fraud.[1]
